Take a Day Trip to El Triunfo

Less than two hours from our beautiful properties in Los Cabos, the colorful village of El Triunfo, “The Triumph,” makes for a magical and transportive daytrip. What was once the largest town in Baja California Sur with a population of more than 10,000, El Triunfo is now a charming historic town, moving at a leisurely pace and inviting tourists to discover its fascinating past and delicious present.

A Rich Past- Gold and silver were first mined in El Triunfo in 1862, a discovery that led to a flood of prospectors from both Mexico and the United States who set up camp to begin a mining operation. But when the mines closed in 1926, the area was virtually deserted. Today, the town’s well-preserved remains tell the story of this important mining town, helped along by a new generation of conscientious residents, guides, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs who work hard to keep El Triunfo’s history alive. 

An Inspired Present- The town isn’t simply for looking at, business thrives and chic cafes and restored historic buildings have risen in place of what was before. One of the first new enterprises in town was Caffe El Triunfo, a multi-level restaurant in a thoughtfully restored building where pizza, bread, and pastries come fresh from the wood-fired brick oven. In 2015, Bar El Minero joined the local dining scene in a historic building with a courtyard that features the Instagrammable bronze sculptures of Juan Matute and the mule Sofia. Popular menu items include homemade sausages, seafood and sausage paella, artisanal cheeses, craft Baja beers, quality wines, and more. If you dine outdoors on the cobblestone streets, expect to see tour groups pass by; many are led by guides dressed in the mining style of the 1890s. On a tour, you’ll notice the town’s white- and pastel-colored facades as well as historic highlights like the iconic ochre colored Mission-style church in El Triunfo’s center. You’ll also visit La Romana, the 115-foot smokestack visible from most parts of town that’s said to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower’s architect. It anchors the old mining grounds, complete with original mining equipment, fascinating ruins and a path that leads to a lookout over the town and surrounding mountains. 

With enough time, you might visit the Museo de Plata. It focuses primarily on the first individuals who came to the Ruta de Plata region, placing their stories into the larger historical picture from the establishment of the first communities in the mid-1500s to the region’s boom years in the 1800s. Two cafes inside—the Toggle Wine Cellar and Margery’s Tea Room—will satisfy any need for a snack before dining out later. The Museo de la Musica, meanwhile, houses pianos and other instruments that were shipped to El Triunfo from all over the world during its heyday. Why here? In its day, the town was a cultural hub where acclaimed concert pianist, Francisca Mendoza made her home.

Just outside of town, the Cactus Sanctuary features more than 6 hectares or 100 acres of some of the rarest and most endangered cacti in the world. Here you will find the Pereskiopsis cacti, one of the earliest known versions of the species which still produces leaves. The best time to see these leaves is after the rainy season in August, but don’t let timing discourage your visit. There’s so much to see otherwise!

Come to El Triunfo and leave having gained a greater understanding for the peninsula Los Cabos calls home. Its rich and colorful history has influenced more than its immediate surroundings in La Paz, but also the communities like Los Cabos where settlers’ families moved and called home. Reserve your stay at any one of our Cabo resorts and plan a day trip to El Triunfo. We’ll help you get there.